BMW has launched its new 7 Series flagship saloon in Thailand, offering two sub models priced competitively.
The 745Le xDrive M Sport is priced at Bt6,439,000 while the 730Ld sDrive M Sport is priced at Bt6,139,000. Both come with the BSI Standard package, featuring 3-year/60,000km free maintenance and 3-year/unlimited mileage warranty. Three exterior colors are available – Black Sapphire, Mineral White and Bernina Grey.
Alexander Baraka, President, BMW Group Thailand said, “The new BMW 7 Series once again sets new benchmarks in the luxury sedan segment with an expressive design that represents our vision of contemporary luxury and elegance, coupled with extensively developed drive technology and groundbreaking innovations in operation and digitalization that comprehensively reflect the demands of our customers. Assembled at our BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand’s plant in Rayong, the new BMW 7 Series is not only the pinnacle of luxury automotive experiences but also firm evidence of our continuing commitment to Thailand.”
The refreshed design at the front end yields more powerful presence, dominated by the iconic kidney grille that is now 30 per cent larger than its predecessor, framed by a single-piece surround. The grille has active air flap control with adjustable vanes which only open when the need for cooling air is increased. The super-slender adaptive LED headlight units in the BMW 730Ld sDrive M Sport, or BMW Laserlight in the BMW 745Le xDrive M Sport, create contrast with the significantly enlarged BMW kidney grille adding more distinctive look.
The redesigned bonnet carries more sharply cut and powerfully sculpted contour lines, while the BMW badge on the bonnet is now 13-millimeter larger in diameter. The outer air intakes in the lower section of the front apron are now overlaid with large air deflectors to guide the onrushing air to the brake air ducts and the Air Curtains. L-shaped trim strips in High-gloss Chrome border the Air Curtains on their outer edges and below.
The side view of the new BMW 7 Series is dominated by the upright Air Breathers that optimize the flow of air through the wheel arches, which helps to reduce aerodynamically undesirable turbulence. The Air Breathers and trim strips come in Dark Chrome from the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line in both model variants.
The rear end has been extensively redesigned with rear apron contours that reflect the look of the vehicle’s front, combining well with integral exhaust tailpipes with larger chrome surrounds. Slimmer three-dimensional rear lights with red/black surfacing are around 35 millimetres slimmer that the outgoing model.
The 745Le xDrive M Sport comes with 20-inch M light alloy wheels in Star-spoke style, while the 730Ld sDrive M Sport is fitted with 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Bicolour Double-spoke style.
The 745Le xDrive M Sport is powered by a newly-developed plug-in hybrid drivetrain system that combines a six-cylinder inline BMW EfficientDynamics petrol engine with an electric motor. Altogether, the system unleashes a combined output of 290 kW/394 hp with a maximum combined torque of 600 Nm. The new plug-in hybrid drive technology, together with the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, enables the 745Le xDrive to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The top speed in full electric mode has been raised to 140 km/h.
The latest-generation lithium-ion battery is located underneath the rear seats and has an increased gross capacity of 12.0 kWh, allowing for pure electric driving range between 50 and 58 kilometres according to the NEDC test cycle.
BMW says that the new drivetrain works hand in hand with the specially-tuned suspension system, which takes into account the significant increase in power output over the previous-generation 7 Series to provide the vehicle with appreciably enhanced agility, precision, and directional stability, while the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system delivers maximum power and traction to the road surface in all conditions.
Meanwhile, the 730Ld sDrive M Sport is powered by a TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, capable of producing 195 kW/265 hp and 620 Nm at 2,000 – 2,500 rpm propelling the car to a 250km/h top speed. There’s an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and adaptive two-axle air suspension – the Executive Drive Pro chassis technology, meanwhile, teams up with the suspension system to provide high levels of comfort, agility, and stability.
The new BMW 7 Series models come with seats upholstered in exclusive Nappa leather with extended quilting, full electrical adjustments, active seat ventilation, and massage function for the driver and rear-seat passengers. New fine wood interior trim strips create harmoniously crafted luxury ambience, which is elevated to another level with the panorama glass roof – including the Sky Lounge roof in the 745Le xDrive M Sport that combines natural and ambient light sources.
The entertainment system includes rear-seat full-HD touchscreen display, BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Navigation system, fully digital, 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch Control Display with consistent, modern graphics operated with new BMW Operating System 7.0, BMW ConnectedDrive and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with voice command.
Rear-seat passengers can also enjoy an entertainment system comprising two 10-inch full-HD displays and a Blu-ray player. This entertainment setup also allows users to access navigation and online functions of the vehicles from the rear seats. Enhanced acoustic properties, including 5.1mm thicker laminated glass in side windows and extra acoustic insulation around the rear wheel arches, help optimize long-distance comfort for passengers.
